|
|
|
Classic and Contemporary Poetry
HOW DOES LOVE SPEAK?, by ELLA WHEELER WILCOX Poet Analysis Poet's Biography
First Line: How does love speak?
Last Line: Thus doth love speak.
Alternate Author Name(s): Wilson, Robert, Mrs.
Subject(s): Kisses; Love - Nature Of; Passion
First Line: How does love speak?
Last Line: Thus doth love speak.
Alternate Author Name(s): Wilson, Robert, Mrs.
Subject(s): Kisses; Love - Nature Of; Passion
HOW does Love speak?
In the faint flush upon the tell-tale cheek,
And in the pallor that succeeds it; by
The quivering lid of an averted eye—
The smile that proves the parent of a sigh:
Thus doth Love speak.
How does Love speak?
By the uneven heart-throbs, and the freak
Of bounding pulses that stand still and ache
While new emotions, like strange barges, make
Along vein-channels their disturbing course,
Still as the dawn, and with the dawn's swift force:
Thus doth Love speak.
How does Love speak?
In the avoidance of that which we seek
The sudden silence and reserve when near;
The eye that glistens with an unshed tear;
The joy that seems the counterpart of fear,
As the alarmèd heart leads in the breast,
And knows, and names, and greets its godlike guest:
Thus doth Love speak.
How does Love speak?
In the proud spirit suddenly grown meek,
The haughty heart grown humble; in the tender
And unnamed light that floods the world with splendour;
In the resemblance which the fond eyes trace
In all fair things to one belovèd face;
In the shy touch of hands that thrill and tremble;
In looks and lips that can no more dissemble:
Thus doth Love speak.
How does Love speak?
In wild words that uttered seem so weak
They shrink ashamed to silence; in the fire
Glance strikes with glance, swift flashing high and higher,
Like lightnings that precede the mighty storm
In the deep, soulful stillness; in the warm,
Impassioned tide that sweeps thro' throbbing veins,
Between the shores of keen delights and pains;
In the embrace where madness melts in bliss,
And in the convulsive rapture of a kiss:
Thus doth Love speak.
Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!
Other Poems of Interest...
APPULDURCOMBE PARK by AMY LOWELL
FIVE ACCOUNTS OF A MONOGAMOUS MAN by WILLIAM MEREDITH
ON PASSION AS A LITERARY TRADITION by JOHN CIARDI